The Attarouthi Treasure - Chalice
This object presents Saint John the Forerunner, a deacon saint, a bishop saint, and crosses accompanied by a Greek inscription reading, "of Saint John of the village of Atarothis." The deacon saint—identified by his Gospel book and censer—is likely Saint Stephen. Stephen was widely venerated in this period as one of the original seven deacons of the Church and as the first Christian to be martyred for his faith. His presence underscores the close relationship between liturgical ritual, clerical hierarchy, and the authority of scripture in early Christian worship.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Attarouthi Treasure - Chalice
- Date: 500–650
- Geography: Made in Attarouthi, Syria
- Culture: Byzantine
- Medium: Silver and gilded silver
- Dimensions: Overall: 8 1/16 × 5 15/16 in., 13oz. (20.5 × 15.1 cm, 369g)
Diam. of foot: 3 9/16 in. (9 cm)
Diam. of knop: 1 9/16 in. (3.9 cm)
Capacity of cup: 1100 ml - Classification: Metalwork-Silver
- Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers Fund and Henry J. and Drue E. Heinz Foundation, Norbert Schimmel, and Lila Acheson Wallace Gifts, 1986
- Object Number: 1986.3.10
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Related Content
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.